2023 Atlanta National Conference

March 22-25, 2023

Grade Level


Topics























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Session Type














Pathway/Course

FILTERS APPLIED:9 - 12, Hands-On Workshop, Professional Learning, Environmental Science

 

Rooms and times subject to change.
25 results
Save up to 50 sessions in your agenda.

Why am I having difficulty breathing?

Thursday, March 23 • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center - International Ballroom C



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Air Quality Presentation 2023 final.pptx
Here is our presentation. Have fun implementing GLOBE and NASA activities!

STRAND: Curriculum and Assessment

Show Details

Let’s look at air quality at your location with data gathered by Purple Air sensors. Contribute to the study of aerosols in the US. Bring computer/electronic device.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn how to access air quality data from citizen scientist sensors and satellite data and analyze air quality in your local area.

SPEAKERS:
Kevin Czajkowski (The University of Toledo: Toledo, OH), Jessica Taylor (NASA Langley Research Center: Hampton, VA), Sara Mierzwiak (The University of Toledo: Toledo, OH), Janet Struble (: Toledo, OH)

Anchoring student learning in locally relevant problems and solutions: An example storyline from the Climate Education Pathways project

Thursday, March 23 • 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B304


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

Experience an anchoring phenomenon lesson designed to engage students in a local climate impact. Reflect on how local community problems can be leveraged to engage students in understanding large-scale, shared global issues, like climate change, to increase relevance and agency for youth.

TAKEAWAYS:
Anchoring student learning in local phenomena and problems can tap into students’ interest and perceived relevance of science learning to their life and community. A storyline based on local problems also position students to for meaningful activities for future learning and taking action now.

SPEAKERS:
Lindsey Mohan (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Audrey Mohan (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Enya Granados (Life Science Teacher: , GA)

Phenomena and NASA Data, Perfect Together

Thursday, March 23 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B304



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Earths Energy Budget Foldable
Handout for Phenomena NASA Data
Slide Deck for Phenomena NASA Data

STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

Engage with My NASA Data lessons as a model student to make sense of weather and climate phenomena while discovering the strengths and limitations of a conceptual model used to describe the complex energy transfer in our Earth system.

TAKEAWAYS:
Develop a better understanding of Earth’s energy budget by connecting weather and climate phenomena to a conceptual model developed by NASA from satellite-based observations. This is an example of how students may evaluate a model to engage in data literacy and employ systems thinking.

SPEAKERS:
Angela Rizzi (NASA Langley Research Center/ADNET: No City, No State), Natalie Macke (Pascack Hills High School: Montvale, NJ)

Using Algae Models & Assays to Illuminate the Interplay between Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration for Students!

Thursday, March 23 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B310


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

In this workshop, participants will apply conceptual maps of photosynthesis and cellular respiration to simple algal assays. Collected assay data will be used to evidence real-time carbon cycling within the organism as well as serving as a model for ecological interplay between these processes.

TAKEAWAYS:
Walk through how students can measure and learn about photosynthesis, cellular respiration and the carbon cycle in the same hands-on lab.

SPEAKERS:
Audra Brown Ward (Upper School Biology Teacher: , GA)

Exploring the Clean Energy Transition and Energy Justice in the Classroom

Thursday, March 23 • 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B302


STRAND: Equity and Justice

Show Details

Conduct an activity that can be used to introduce students to the concept of energy justice and receive a scorecard that can be used to evaluate stories that highlight our current and future energy system and its impacts on people and communities.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about energy justice and use an evaluation scorecard as one strategy to enhance education about clean energy technologies while promoting literacy, systems thinking and critical thinking skills among learners.

SPEAKERS:
Dana Haine (UNC Institute for the Environment: Chapel Hill, NC)

A Mysterious Case of Brain Illness - Connecting Humans, Animals, and the Environment

Friday, March 24 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - C212


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

Model how environmental health investigators work to discover the cause of an outbreak of encephalitis. Experience hands-on, minds-on, NGSS practice-based lessons related to One Health – the connections between human, animal, and environmental health.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about hands-on, minds-on, NGSS practice-based lessons related to One Health – the connections between human, animal, and environmental health. Engage in three-dimensional activities that focus on the science practices of analyzing data and constructing explanations.

SPEAKERS:
Dina Markowitz (University of Rochester: Rochester, NY), Lisa Brosnick (SUNY Buffalo State College: Buffalo, NY)

Learning Ecology Through a Lyme Lens

Friday, March 24 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - C213


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

A hands on simulation based on probabilities from scientific literature is used to investigate the effect of community structure on the prevalence of infected ticks. This anchoring phenomenon is extended to explore population ecology, trophic cascades, biodiversity, and the dilution effect.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will come away with a set of lessons that teach many core concepts in ecology using a modeling approach. The hands on simulation will be supplemented by computer models that allow students to explore population growth curves and more complex community relationships.

SPEAKERS:
Daniel Carroll (retired - Yorktown High School), Michael Zito (Yorktown High School: Arlington, VA)

JEDI Path - Exploring Equitable Instructional Strategies for 3-Dimensional Outdoor Learning

Friday, March 24 • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - B302


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Join this hands-on workshop to explore phenomenon-based outdoor learning with (free) Eco-Engineering Challenges and Schoolyard Investigations, using a toolkit of research-informed easy-to-implement instructional strategies that promote equitable and inclusive student engagement.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with instructional strategies and teaching resources they can implement immediately to create a more relevant, equitable and inclusive learning environment for phenomenon-based environmental and outdoor learning.

SPEAKERS:
Stephanie Miles (Villa Rica High School: Villa Rica, GA), Patricia Morgan (Georgia State University: Atlanta, GA), Karan Wood (Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia (EEA): Acworth, GA)

Mapping Heat Inequities: Examining the Science of and Solutions to Extreme Heat

Friday, March 24 • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

Georgia World Congress Center - C209



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Mapping Inequity Slides

STRAND: Equity and Justice

Show Details

Engage students in learning about extreme heat and the heat island effect through interaction with maps highlighting environmental and demographic indicators. Data interpretation activities will prompt students to identify vulnerable populations and examine strategies for addressing extreme heat.

TAKEAWAYS:
Extreme heat is relevant to everyone and can be used as an anchoring phenomenon to engage all learners. Depending on where they live, people experience extreme heat differently. Attendees will experience how maps can be used to teach about extreme heat through an environmental justice lens.

SPEAKERS:
Emma Refvem (Durham Public Schools: Durham, NC)

Energize Your High School Climate Change Course

Friday, March 24 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center - International Ballroom C


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

Are you looking for climate change lessons that provide strategies to engage high school students? Activity-filled lessons will explore natural cycles, proxies, and ways to minimize human impact.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will explore activities that offer strategies to demonstrate how and why Earth’s climate has changed over time

SPEAKERS:
Kathleen Brooks (CREC: No City, No State), Karin Jakubowski (eesmarts: No City, No State)

Water Quality, More than Just a Test

Friday, March 24 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - C209


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

How often have you performed a simple water test as a lab and thought - is there more to this? How else can I get students to relate to the importance of the water they utilize everyday? Learn how to incorporate case studies and reading into this common lab activity.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how to set up a simple water test for testing nutrient levels in the water but then expand concepts on the quality of water by exploring the digital platform H2KNOW.

SPEAKERS:
Julie Reynolds (Teacher: Chicago, IL)

Thermoplastics vs Thermosets (Playing with Polymers)

Friday, March 24 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - C213



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Thermoplastics & Thermosets NSTA 2023 Atlanta.ppt

STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

Overview of thermoset vs thermoplastic polymers and hands-on activities to be done in the classroom, including predictive design, calculations, and environmental impact discussion.

TAKEAWAYS:
Ways to categorize, work with, and recycle polymers with design and engineering challenges.

SPEAKERS:
Scott Spohler (Global Impact STEM Academy: Springfield, OH), Briana Richardson (Washington High School: Washington Court House, OH)

Waste Not, Want Not: Explore Making Transportation More Sustainable & Develop Scientfic Skills with the Bioenergy Research and Education BRIDGE Program

Friday, March 24 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - C210


STRAND: Student Learning and Inclusion

Show Details

BRIDGES is a new initiative through the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office, Idaho National Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory to bridge the awareness and learning gaps for rural and urban communities as well as students from underrepresented groups. In this session, we will introduce our four new educational case studies in bioenergy that place students in collaborative and decision-making roles. Through the cases, students learn how bioenergy is important in our lives and is also being used to solve real environmental and economic challenges. Students will also discover career options for both non-technical and technical skills that can be used in the government, national laboratories, as well as private industry. Scientific practice skills such as developing and using models and obtaining, analyzing and interpreting data are featured in the cases.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be introduced to four newly developed case study curricular resources that feature cutting edge science in sustainable aviation fuel, waste to energy, plastics upcycling, and biofuel feedstocks. After working one of the case studies, they will leave prepared to use it in the classroom

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Jackson (Precollege and Early Workforce Development Manager: , ID), Kelly Sturner (Argonne National Labaratory: Lemont, IL)

Effectively Use Phenomena that Highlights the Lived Experiences and Narratives of Black Heritage in Biology Lessons

Friday, March 24 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - A410



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSF Final Outcomes Report: Using Lived Experiences & Narratives Black Heritage
The Clarity We Need For Belonging
The clarity we need for belonging
Video Clips on YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@visibilityinstem
Visibility In STEM

STRAND: Research to Practice

Show Details

The lived experiences and narratives of Black heritage and African American Gullah-Geechee are used as engaging phenomena in inquiry lessons using the 5E model. The scientific practices are used to explore biology data cards created in a National Science Foundation funded project.

TAKEAWAYS:
Engaging in inquiry and scientific practices using the cultural resources of Black heritage facilitate engagement in the NGSS three dimensions of STEM. Attendees receive free resources created from this project. Connections to Common Core and equitable classroom practices will be made.

SPEAKERS:
Catherine Quinlan (Howard University)

Handling extinction and adaptation: Project Based Learning with low-cost fossils

Friday, March 24 • 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM

Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center - Grand Ballroom A



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Handling Extinction And Adaptation Project Based Learning With Low-Cost Fossils
Slides from Hands-On Workshop

STRAND: Student Learning and Inclusion

Show Details

This project was funded by a National Science Foundation grant to expose high school students to geoscience within their required science curriculum. A collateral benefit is integrating key concepts in other sciences. In Biology, natural selection requires eons (“deep time”) to create Earth’s biodiversity. In project-based learning using fossil-bearing rocks of multiple ages, students experience deep time concretely. A barrier to hands-on fossil study is the expense of specimens good enough for university students to systematically learn fossil taxa. However, imperfect samples can connect anyone to deep time. Ironically, some such samples are simply dumped when teachers return from professional development field trips. This presentation reveals a path to making use of such ordinary material by 1) circling fossils in ink, 2) creating a picture guide from circled fossils, 3) building a PBL unit uniting those fossils with a biodiversity-though-time graphic known as a Tree of Life diagram.

TAKEAWAYS:
Might students better master evolution standards, especially extinction and adaptation, by encountering fossils through "deep time"? Teacher-collected samples, with fossils circled in ink, a picture guide made from the set, and a detailed Tree of Life diagram form foundations for PBL exploration.

SPEAKERS:
Katty Mobasher (Professor of Geology and GIS: , GA), Adrianna Rajkumar (Lecturer), Bill Witherspoon (geologist/educator: Decatur, GA)

Tick-Borne Diseases and One Health: Connecting Humans, Animals, and the Environment

Friday, March 24 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - C212


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

Investigate the spread of tick-borne diseases in humans and animals. Experience hands-on, minds-on, NGSS practice-based lessons related to One Health – the connections between human, animal, and environmental health.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn about hands-on, minds-on, NGSS practice-based lessons related to One Health – the connections between human, animal, and environmental health. Engage in three-dimensional activities that focus on the science practices of analyzing data and constructing explanations.

SPEAKERS:
Dina Markowitz (University of Rochester: Rochester, NY), Lisa Brosnick (SUNY Buffalo State College: Buffalo, NY)

To See a (Scientific) World in a Grain of Sand: Integrating Sand in YOUR Science Classroom

Friday, March 24 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - C213


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

The sand session returns! Sand is ubiquitous, unique, and addresses physical science, earth/environmental science, art, history . . . and more! Free sand/resources.

TAKEAWAYS:
Sand contains clues to weathering/erosion, transportation, and more! Free classroom samples and online resources make classroom sand activities fun and easy with identified NGSS PEs, DCIs, CCCs, and SEPS. ABC charts organize students’ incoming knowledge and documents progression in learning.

SPEAKERS:
Renee Clary (Mississippi State University: Mississippi State, MS)

Environmental Science in a World of 8 Billion

Friday, March 24 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center - International Ballroom E



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Environmental Science in a World of 8 Billion - NSTA 3.24.23 (1).pdf

STRAND: Curriculum and Assessment

Show Details

Engage in hands-on activities (problem-solving challenges, simulations and modeling) that use 3D learning to explore key ecological topics in Biology and Environmental Science courses (including AP) – population trends, climate change, land use, biodiversity, and ecosystem health.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn ways to guide students’ inquiry around key environmental challenges, using hands-on simulations and modeling activities that employ 3D learning in an inclusive classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Katie Grams (Education Program Associate: Washington, DC), Barbara Huth (Online Learning Manager: Washington, DC)

Nourish the Future: Energy and Biofuels

Friday, March 24 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center - Redwood


STRAND: Teaching Strategies and Classroom Practice

Show Details

In this unit, learn about fermentation and ethanol production, what enzyme action can do, and how co-products from ethanol are valuable in their own right.

TAKEAWAYS:
Nourish the Future is a national education initiative developed by science teachers for science teachers to connect students to modern agriculture and provide sound science based resources that meet teacher and student needs in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Leanne Thele (Perryville High School: , MO), Tiska Rodgers (Clarkton High School: Clarkton, MO)

Exploring Marine Renewable Energy

Saturday, March 25 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - A309


STRAND: No Strand

Show Details

Learn background information and hands-on activities for students to apply the science of the oceans and electricity generation as they learn about the many types of marine hydrokinetics technology.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn how the energy of moving water can be harnessed and converted into electricity in many ways, including technologies for harnessing the energy in ocean tides, waves, and currents.

SPEAKERS:
Kimberly Swan (The NEED Project: Manassas, VA)

A Classroom Course in Community Resilience: A Scientific Problem-Based Approach to Understanding Climate Change

Saturday, March 25 • 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B404


STRAND: Curriculum and Assessment

Show Details

Teachers will hear about the EPA Gulf Guardian Award winning curriculum that teaches students about climate change. A Classroom Course in Community Resilience uses scientific problem-based learning to promote environmental stewardship.

TAKEAWAYS:
The human effect on the climate is evident in many ways, and today's students will be future leaders. Our program equips teachers with lessons that are easily implemented into their existing coursework and empowers students to think outside the box and creatively solve climate-related issues.

SPEAKERS:
Samantha Capers (USM Marine Education Center: Ocean Springs, MS)

Understanding the Importance of Climate Modeling

Saturday, March 25 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - A303



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
https://ncse.ngo/supporting-teachers/classroom-resources
NSTA March 2023 - Climate Change.pdf

STRAND: Curriculum and Assessment

Show Details

Models are an essential tool used by scientists to study natural phenomena. Learn how climate hindcasting helps build powerful models for projecting future climate trends.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn about the history and evolution of climate modeling while examining evidence that supports their reliability for predicting future climate patterns.

SPEAKERS:
Cari Herndon (National Center for Science Education: No City, No State), Lin Andrews (: Oakland, CA)

Bugs The Food of the Furture

Saturday, March 25 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - A410


STRAND: Curriculum and Assessment

Show Details

A skyrocketing global population is making us rethink how we feed people. Traditional protein sources are unequally distributed and can have devastating effects. We will be investigating how insects could help us feed the world in a more equitable and sustainable way. Bring your appetite!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how traditional ways of farming protein (poultry and cattle) negatively affect the ecological communities and explore how insects could help rectify this problem.

SPEAKERS:
Courtney Ologbosele (Teacher), Curtis Martin (Teacher)

Exciting Endophytes! A Plant Biotechnology Primer

Saturday, March 25 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - A309



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
Endophyte photos
Endophytes collected at the conference.
Endophyte photos
Endophytes collected at the conference.
Endophyte photos
Picture of endophytes collected at the conference.
Endophyte pictures
Endophytes collected at the conference.
Exciting Endophytes
Endophyte Isolation Powerpoint

STRAND: Research to Practice

Show Details

Ever wondered what microorganisms might be hiding in a plant? Probably not! But we'll show you how to translate real high-level research into a highly engaging lab your students will remember and enjoy.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will leave with a lab protocol to isolate plant endophytes with their students

SPEAKERS:
Sloan Almehmi (Student), Katie Busch (The University of Alabama at Birmingham: Birimingham, AL)

Preparing your Students for the Upcoming Solar Eclipses in 2023 and 2024

Saturday, March 25 • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Georgia World Congress Center - B207



(Only registered attendees may view session materials. Please login with your NSTA account to view.)
NSTA Solar Eclipse Presentation 2023 final.pptx
Get your students involved in collecting data during the solar eclipses. If you are having any trouble in accessing the ppt or have any questions, email Janet Struble: [email protected].

STRAND: Curriculum and Assessment

Show Details

Join in collecting GLOBE data partnered with NASA resources to study the solar eclipses. Join Google classroom. Equipment will be provided. There is something for each grade level.

TAKEAWAYS:
Contribute data to a citizen science database used by scientists and students to study the effects of eclipses on the atmosphere

SPEAKERS:
Kevin Czajkowski (The University of Toledo: Toledo, OH), Jessica Taylor (NASA Langley Research Center: Hampton, VA), Janet Struble (: Toledo, OH)

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